Kohl’s may have started as a grocery store nearly a century ago, but the department store of today doesn’t carry a lot of foodstuffs. Instead, Kohl’s has a plethora of clothing and homegoods to rival any mall foundation store.
The brands carried by Kohl’s cover a lot of popular and big names, but the department store also has some lesser-known house brands that are well worth a look. Here are just a few of the products every Kohl’s shopper should consider.
1. Sonoma Goods for Life pajama pants
Kohl’s largest house brand, by both product line and revenue, is Sonoma Goods for Life, and it exists across most of its departments. But the product that I buy again and again (including just last week) is the pajama pants.
The Sonoma brand includes both women’s and men’s pajama pants in various materials, cuts, and styles. (I prefer the 100% cotton, but the poly blends stay softer over time.) In my experience, they hold up well to consistent wearing and washing, and they make up a good chunk of my work-from-home wardrobe.
While the regular prices aren’t bad ($20 a pair for the style I like), Kohl’s offers frequent sales and coupons — especially around the holidays. If timed right, you can easily pick up a pair for $13 to $15, which I think is very reasonable for good-quality pajama pants.
2. The Big One plush blankets
I have a tendency to put throw blankets everywhere and anywhere I might need them, in nearly every room of the house. Roughly half of those blankets likely have The Big One on the tags.
This brand of bedding at Kohl’s is fun and fluffy with a variety of designs — seasonal, chic, and licensed characters alike — and sizes for any spot you need a cozy throw. They hold up pretty well to daily (ab)use and are ridiculously warm.
The only thing better than the fluff, in fact, is the price, which can be down to about $8 if you catch a sale-and-coupon combo (which isn’t hard at Kohl’s).
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3. Apt. 9 men’s business casual
Some of us may have gone full sleepwear thanks to work from home, but there are still plenty of folks in offices — or who like to stay sharp regardless. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on your wardrobe, however.
Kohl’s Apt. 9 brand used to offer men’s and women’s options, but now it’s mostly limited to menswear of the business-casual persuasion. You can find some decent-quality button-up shirts and slacks, as well as a variety of fairly snazzy jackets and sweaters.
As with most Kohl’s items, the regular price is relatively competitive, but you can get some great bargains when you stack sales and coupons. For example, those $35 button-ups become a very reasonable $25 with a good Kohl’s coupon.
4. Croft & Barrow women’s sweaters and cardigans
Another Kohl’s clothing house brand, Croft & Barrow aims a little bit older in its demographic, with more mature cuts and styles (no crop-tops here, friends). It’s also nice for business casual, particularly if you work in a more reserved industry.
I like this brand particularly well for the sweaters and cardigans, which all have a timeless feel and quality construction. There is a great range of colors and fits, so you can have several to match different outfits (or pajama pants, in my case).
Pricewise, the brand tends to be slightly pricier than the Sonoma Goods for Life, but still affordable, particularly when you wait for a sale or coupon. For instance, the cardigan I’m eyeballing right now is normally $35, but available for as low as $25 with a Kohl’s store cardholder coupon.
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5. Tek Gear sweats and athletic wear
Rounding out the clothing options is Kohl’s sportswear brand. It covers a lot of ground for both men and women, offering everything from sweats and leggings to hoodies and sports bras.
Given that I’m currently wearing a pair of Tek Gear jogger-style sweats right now, I can assure you they’re quite comfortable (though I’ll be honest, I do more sitting than sweating in them). And I’ve been pleased with the quality of my other Tek Gear products.
You’re also getting a decent deal especially compared to the very costly name brands. My joggers are normally $25, but I got them for just $13 by stacking a coupon on top of a sale.
For work, home, and play
Kohl’s has humble roots, but today its 1,000-plus stores are full of everything from blankets and towels to luggage and yoga pants. The department store also has its own brands in every department, offering good quality for reasonable prices. If you haven’t visited your local Kohl’s in a while, it might be worth a trip.